Cap assembly with eyeglasses

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly includes an eyeglasses unit connected pivotally to an eyeglass-mounting unit that includes first and second magnet units mounted on a mounting frame that is mounted on a bottom side surface of a visor. A third magnet unit is mounted on one of a lens member, and a pivot member attached to the lens member and connected pivotally to opposite coupling end portions of the mounting frame. The eyeglasses unit is operable to pivot relative to the eyeglass-mounting unit between a use position, where the eyeglasses unit is disposed adjacent to a user&#39;s face and where the second and third magnet units attract and contact each other, and a non-use position, where the eyeglasses unit is disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface of the visor and where the first and third magnet units attract and contact each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 094128013, filed on Aug. 17, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cap, more particularly to a cap assembly with eyeglasses.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional cap with sunglasses includes a pair of positioning slots formed respectively in opposite sides of a visor of the conventional cap and engaging pivotally and respectively two engaging protrusions on opposite sides of the sunglasses. In such a configuration, since tight engagement between the positioning slots and the engaging protrusions cannot be ensured after a long period of use, the sunglasses cannot be effectively positioned.

Another conventional cap with sunglasses includes an inverted U-shaped sunglass-mounting seat mounted on a bottom side surface of a visor of the conventional cap. The sunglass-mounting seat has opposite coupling end portions, each of which has an engaging protrusion unit. The sunglasses has opposite sides connected pivotally and respectively to the coupling end portions of the sunglass-mounting seat by means of screw fasteners. Each side of the sunglasses is formed with a positioning groove unit. The sunglasses is pivotable relative to the sunglass-mounting seat, and can be positioned in one of use and non-use positions by engagement between the engaging protrusion unit and the positioning groove unit. In such a configuration, a screw driver is needed when assembling the sunglasses. Furthermore, frequent rotation of the sunglasses results in loosening of the screw fasteners such that the engagement between the engaging protrusion unit and the positioning groove unit cannot be ensured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cap assembly with an eyeglasses unit that can be effectively positioned in a desired one of use and non-use positions.

According to the present invention, a cap assembly comprises:

a cap having a cap body adapted to be worn by a user, and a visor connected to and extending outwardly from a periphery of the cap body;

an eyeglass-mounting unit including

-   -   a mounting frame that is mounted detachably on a bottom side         surface of the visor of the cap and that has opposite coupling         end portions,     -   a first magnet unit mounted on the mounting frame and disposed         adjacent to the bottom side surface of the visor of the cap, and     -   a second magnet unit mounted on the mounting frame and spaced         apart from the first magnet unit; and

an eyeglasses unit connected pivotally to the mounting frame of the eyeglass-mounting unit and including

-   -   a lens member,     -   a pivot member attached to the lens member and connected         pivotally to the coupling end portions of the mounting frame of         the eyeglass-mounting unit, and     -   a third magnet unit mounted on one of the lens member and the         pivot member.

The eyeglasses unit is operable so as to pivot relative to the eyeglass-mounting unit between a use position, where the eyeglasses unit is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the user's face and where the second and third magnet units attract and contact each other, and a non-use position, where the eyeglasses unit is disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface of the visor of the cap and where the first and third magnet units attract and contact each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic bottom view showing the first preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 a is a fragmentary, partly exploded perspective view showing a variation of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic front view showing the first preferred embodiment when an eyeglasses unit is disposed at a use position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic side view showing the first preferred embodiment when the eyeglasses unit is disposed at the use position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic front view showing the first preferred embodiment when the eyeglasses unit is disposed at a non-use position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic side view showing the first preferred embodiment when the eyeglasses unit is disposed at the non-use position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic bottom view showing the second preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic view showing a lens member of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary schematic bottom view showing the third preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary schematic bottom view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, partly sectional schematic view showing the fourth preferred embodiment when an eyeglasses unit is disposed at a non-use position;

FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the fifth preferred embodiment when an eyeglasses unit is disposed at a use position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, partly exploded, partly sectional schematic view showing the fifth preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an eyeglass-mounting unit of the fifth preferred.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to the present invention is shown to include a cap 1, an eyeglass-mounting unit 2, and an eyeglasses unit 3.

The cap 1 has a cap body 11 adapted to be worn by a user, and a visor 12 connected to and extending outwardly from a periphery of the cap body 11. The visor 12 is curved when viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 3.

The eyeglass-mounting unit 2 includes a mounting frame 20, a first magnet unit, and a second magnet unit. In this embodiment, the mounting frame 20 is made of a metal material, and has a curved shape substantially corresponding to that of the visor 12 of the cap 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The mounting frame 20 has opposite L-shaped coupling end portions 22, and an intermediate portion 21 interconnecting the coupling end portions 22. The mounting frame 20 is mounted detachably on a bottom side surface 121 of the visor 12 of the cap 1 by means of a plurality of screw fasteners 4 that extend through the visor 12 of the cap 1 and that are screwed respectively into the intermediate portion 21 and the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20. Each coupling end portion 22 has a first positioning block 221 disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface 121 of the visor 12 of the cap 1, and a second positioning block 222 connected integrally to and vertical to the first positioning block 221, and is formed with a pivot hole 23, as shown in FIG. 2.

The first magnet unit is mounted on the mounting frame 20, and is disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface 121 of the visor 12 of the cap 1. In this embodiment, the first magnet unit includes two first magnets 24 mounted respectively on the first positioning blocks 221 of the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20.

The second magnet unit is mounted on the mounting frame 20, and is spaced apart from the first magnet unit. In this embodiment, the second magnet unit includes two second magnets 25 mounted respectively on the second positioning blocks 222 of the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20 and spaced apart from the first magnets 24 of the first magnet unit.

The eyeglasses unit 3 is connected pivotally to the mounting frame 20 of the eyeglass-mounting unit 2, and includes a lens member 31, a pivot member, and a third magnet unit. In this embodiment, the lens member 31 is a unitary lens piece made of a flexible resin material and having a curved shape corresponding to that of the mounting frame 20, as shown in FIG. 5, and has opposite sides 311. Each side 311 of the lens member 31 has an operating flange 34.

The pivot member is attached to the lens member 31, and is connected pivotally to the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20 of the eyeglass-mounting unit 2. In this embodiment, the pivot member includes two pivot rods 32, each of which is connected integrally to a corresponding one of the opposite sides 311 of the lens member 31 and has a pivot end portion 322 extending into and engaging pivotally the pivot hole 23 in a corresponding one of the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20. In this embodiment, the third magnet unit includes two third magnets 33 that are mounted respectively on the opposite sides 311 of the lens member 31.

In actual use, the eyeglasses unit 3 is operable so as to pivot relative to the eyeglass-mounting unit 2 between a use position, where the eyeglasses unit 3 is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the user's face and where the second and third magnet units attract and contact each other, and a non-use position, where the eyeglasses unit 3 is disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface 121 of the visor 12 of the cap 1 and where the first and third magnet units attach and contact each other. In other words, in this embodiment, when the eyeglasses unit 3 is in the use position, the third magnets 33 of the third magnet unit attract and contact respectively the second magnets 25 of the second magnet unit such that the eyeglasses unit 3 is effectively positioned in the use position, as best shown in FIG. 4. When the eyeglasses unit 3 is in the non-use position, the third magnets 33 of the third magnet unit attract and contact respectively the first magnets 24 of the first magnet unit such that the eyeglasses unit 3 is effectively positioned in the non-use position, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring further to FIG. 2 a, a variation of the first preferred embodiment is shown, and differs from the cap assembly of FIG. 2 in that each side 311 of the lens member 31′ is formed with a mounting hole 3110. Each pivot rod 32 of the pivot member further has an insertion end portion 321 opposite to the pivot end portion 322 and inserted into the mounting hole 3110 in a corresponding one of the sides 311 of the lens member 31′. The pivot member further includes two biasing pieces 323 (only one is shown), such as coil springs, disposed respectively in the mounting hole 3110 in the sides 311 of the lens member 31′ and abutting respectively against the insertion end portions 321 of the pivot rods 32 for biasing respectively the pivot end portions 322 of the pivot rods 32 to extend into the pivot holes 23 in the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the lens member of the eyeglasses unit 5 includes a pair of lens pieces 51, a bridge portion 52 interconnecting inner sides of the lens pieces 51 by means of rivets 511, and opposite coupling portions 53 riveted respectively to outer sides of the lens pieces 51. Each of the bridge portion 52 and the coupling portions 53 is in the form of a thin steel sheet. The pivot rods 54 of the pivot member are respectively attached to the coupling portions 53 of the lens member, and engage pivotally and respectively the pivot holes 23 in the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20 of the eyeglass-mounting unit 2. The third magnets 55 of the third magnet unit are mounted respectively on the coupling portions 53 of the lens member.

FIG. 9 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the mounting frame 20′ of the eyeglass-mounting unit 2′ has a size smaller than that of the mounting frame 20 (see FIG. 1) of the first preferred embodiment. Furthermore, for the eyeglasses unit 6, the lens member is a unitary lens piece 61, and the pivot member 62 includes a coupling plate 621 and two pivot rods 622. The coupling plate 621 is riveted to the lens piece 61, and has opposite sides 6211. Each pivot rod 622 is connected integrally to a corresponding one of the sides 6211 of the coupling plate 621, and has a pivot end portion extending into and engaging pivotally the pivot hole 23 in a corresponding one of the coupling end portions 22 of the mounting frame 20′. The third magnets 63 of the third magnet unit are mounted respectively on the opposite sides 6211 of the coupling plate 621 of the pivot member 62.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to this invention, which is a modification of the third preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, for the eyeglass-mounting unit 7, the mounting frame 70 of the eyeglass-mounting unit 7 has opposite coupling end portions 72, and an intermediate portion 71 interconnecting the coupling end portions 72. The intermediate portion 71 is in the form of an L-shaped seat that has a first plate body 711 disposed adjacent to the bottom side surface 121 of the visor 12 of the cap 1, and a second plate body 712 connected integrally to and vertical to the first plate body 711, as shown in FIG. 11. The first magnet unit has a single first magnet 74 mounted on the first plate body 711 of the intermediate portion 71 of the mounting frame 70 (see FIG. 11). The second magnet unit has a single second magnet 75 mounted on the second plate body 712 of the intermediate portion 71 of the mounting frame 70 (see FIG. 11). For the eyeglasses unit 6′, the third magnet unit has a single third magnet 63 mounted on a middle of the coupling plate 621′ of the pivot member 62′. As such, the third magnet 63 of the third magnet unit attracts and contacts the second magnet 75 of the second magnet unit when the eyeglasses unit 6′ is in the use position, and attracts and contacts the first magnet 74 of the first magnet unit when the eyeglasses unit 6′ is in the non-use position.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate the fifth preferred embodiment of a cap assembly according to this invention, which is a modification of the fourth preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the mounting frame 70′ of the eyeglass-mounting unit 7′ has a size smaller than that of the mounting frame 70 (see FIG. 10) of the fourth preferred embodiment. Furthermore, for the eyeglasses unit 6″, the coupling plate 621″ of the pivot member 62″ is rectangular, and is formed with a mounting hole 6213 that extends from one of the opposite sides 6211 to the other one of the opposite sides 6211. Each pivot rod 622 of the pivot member 62″ further has an insertion end portion 6221 opposite to the pivot end portion 6222 and inserted into the mounting hole 6213 in a corresponding one of the sides 6211 of the coupling plates 621″ of the pivot member 62″. The pivot member 62″ further includes a biasing piece 623, such as a coil spring, disposed in the mounting hole 6213 in the coupling plate 621″ and having opposite ends that abut respectively against the insertion end portions 6221 of the pivot rods 622 for biasing respectively the pivot end portions 6222 of the pivot rods 622 to extend into the pivot holes 73 in the coupling end portions 72′ of the mounting frame 70′.

In sum, the eyeglasses unit 3, 3′, 6, 6′, 6″ can be easily pivoted relative to the eyeglass-mounting unit 2, 2′, 7, 7′ as a result of the engagement between the pivot rods 32, 54, 622 and the pivot holes 23, without the need for a tool. Furthermore, due to the presence of the first, second and third magnet units, the eyeglasses unit 3,3′, 6, 6′, 6″ can be effectively positioned in a desired one of the use and non-use positions.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A cap assembly comprising: a cap having a cap body adapted to be worn by a user, and a visor connected to and extending outwardly from a periphery of said cap body; an eyeglass-mounting unit including a mounting frame that is mounted detachably on a bottom side surface of said visor of said cap and that has opposite coupling end portions, a first magnet unit mounted on said mounting frame and disposed adjacent to said bottom side surface of said visor of said cap, and a second magnet unit mounted on said mounting frame and spaced apart from said first magnet unit; and an eyeglasses unit connected pivotally to said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit and including a lens member, a pivot member attached to said lens member and connected pivotally to said coupling end portions of said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit, and a third magnet unit mounted on one of said lens member and said pivot member; said eyeglasses unit being operable so as to pivot relative to said eyeglass-mounting unit between a use position, where said eyeglasses unit is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the user's face and where said second and third magnet units attract and contact each other, and a non-use position, where said eyeglasses unit is disposed adjacent to said bottom side surface of said visor of said cap and where said first and third magnet units attract and contact each other.
 2. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of screw fasteners extending through said visor of said cap and screwed into said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit.
 3. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said coupling end portions of said mounting frame is formed with a pivot hole; said lens member of said eyeglasses unit has opposite sides; and said pivot member of said eyeglasses unit includes two pivot rods each connected to a corresponding one of said opposite sides of said lens member and having a pivot end portion extending into and engaging pivotally said pivot hole in a corresponding one of said coupling end portions of said mounting frame.
 4. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein: each of said sides of said lens member is formed with a mounting hole; each of said pivot rods of said pivot member further has an insertion end portion opposite to said pivot end portion and inserted into said mounting hole in a corresponding one of said sides of said lens member; and said pivot member further includes two biasing pieces disposed respectively in said mounting holes in said sides of said lens member and abutting respectively against said insertion end portions of said pivot rods for biasing respectively said pivot end portions of said pivot rods to extend into said pivot holes in said coupling end portions of said mounting frame.
 5. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said first magnet unit includes two first magnets mounted respectively on said coupling end portions of said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit; said second magnet unit includes two second magnets mounted respectively on said coupling end portions of said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit and spaced apart from said first magnets of said first magnet unit; and said third magnet unit includes two third magnets that are mounted respectively on said opposite sides of said lens member, that attract and contact respectively said second magnets of said second magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the use position, and that attract and contact respectively said first magnets of said first magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the non-use position.
 6. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lens member of said eyeglasses unit includes a unitary lens piece.
 7. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lens member of said eyeglasses unit includes a pair of lens pieces, a bridge portion interconnecting said lens pieces, and opposite coupling portions connected respectively to outer sides of said lens pieces.
 8. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said coupling end portions of said mounting frame is formed with a pivot hole; said lens member of said eyeglasses unit includes a unitary lens piece; and said pivot member of said eyeglasses unit includes a coupling plate connected fixedly to said unitary lens piece and having opposite sides, and two pivot rods, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of said sides of said coupling plate and has a pivot end portion extending into and engaging pivotally said pivot hole in a corresponding one of said coupling end portions of said mounting frame.
 9. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said first magnet unit includes two first magnets mounted respectively on said coupling end portions of said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit; said second magnet unit includes two second magnets mounted respectively on said coupling end portions of said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit and spaced apart from said first magnets of said first magnet unit; and said third magnet unit includes two third magnets that are mounted respectively on said opposite sides of said coupling plate of said pivot member, that attract and contact respectively said second magnets of said second magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the use position, and that attract and contact respectively said first magnets of said first magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the non-use position.
 10. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said mounting frame of said eyeglass-mounting unit further has an intermediate portion interconnecting said coupling end portions; said first magnet unit includes a first magnet mounted on said intermediate portion of said mounting frame; said second magnet unit includes a second magnet mounted on said intermediate portion of said mounting frame and spaced apart from said first magnet of said first magnet unit; and said third magnet unit includes a third magnet that is mounted on said coupling plate of said pivot member of said eyeglasses unit, that attracts and contacts said second magnet of said second magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the use position, and that attracts and contacts said first magnet of said first magnet unit when said eyeglasses unit is in the non-use position.
 11. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said coupling plate of said pivot member is formed with a mounting hole that extends from one of said opposite sides to the other one of said opposite sides; each of said pivot rods of said pivot member of said eyeglasses unit further has an insertion end portion opposite to said pivot end portion and inserted into said mounting hole in a corresponding one of said sides of said coupling plate of said pivot member; and said pivot member further includes a biasing piece disposed in said mounting hole in said coupling plate and having opposite ends that abut respectively against said insertion end portions of said pivot rods for biasing respectively said pivot end portions of said pivot rods to extend into said pivot holes in said coupling end portions of said mounting frame.
 12. The cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lens member of said eyeglasses unit is made of a flexible resin material. 